What does it cost to heat with a paraffin heater? Consumption per hour
A paraffin heater is a popular way to heat a single room. But how much does it actually cost per hour? That depends on two things: how much fuel the heater consumes and how much you pay per liter. Below, we calculate it for each model.
How to calculate it yourself
Cost per hour = consumption (liters per hour) × price per liter
Example: a 20-liter can of Qlima Extra costs €74.95. That's about €3.75 per liter. A heater that consumes 0.3 liters per hour then costs 0.3 × €3.75 = about €1.12 per hour at full power.
Consumption and cost per model
Calculated at €3.75 per liter (prices as of October 2026). Lowest setting is the consumption at minimum power, when the thermostat keeps the room at temperature.
| Heater | Power | Consumption (l/h) | Cost per hour | Burn time per 20 liters (full power) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser heaters | ||||
| Toyotomi – Zibro LC-30 / LC-130 | 0.8–3.0 kW | 0,083–0,313 | €0,31 – €1,17 | approx. 64 hours |
| Zibro LC-132 | 0.8–3.2 kW | 0,083–0,333 | €0,31 – €1,25 | approx. 60 hours |
| Qlima SRE 3631 TC-2 | 1.08–3.1 kW | up to 0.323 | up to €1.21 | approx. 62 hours |
| Zibro LC 135 | 1.05–3.5 kW | 0,109–0,365 | €0,41 – €1,37 | approx. 55 hours |
| Qlima SRE 4035 TC | 1.19–3.5 kW | up to 0.365 | up to €1.37 | approx. 55 hours |
| Zibro LC 140 | 1.05–4.0 kW | 0,109–0,417 | €0,41 – €1,56 | approx. 48 hours |
| Wick heaters | ||||
| Toyotomi – Zibro RS-2222 | 2.2 kW | 0,229 | €0,86 | approx. 87 hours |
| Qlima R 4224S TC-2 | 2.4 kW | 0,25 | €0,94 | approx. 80 hours |
| Qlima R 8128S C-2 | 2.85 kW | 0,297 | €1,11 | approx. 67 hours |
| Wall heaters | ||||
| Zibro FF-V30-T | 1.02–3.0 kW | 0,115–0,339 | €0,43 – €1,27 | approx. 59 hours |
| Zibro FF 55-T | 1.9–5.5 kW | 0,213–0,622 | €0,80 – €2,33 | approx. 32 hours |
A laser heater also uses a little electricity: between 13 and 24 watts during use (Zibro LC series), and briefly more when starting up. Wick heaters work without electricity.
Example calculation: an evening in the living room
You heat for 5 hours with a Zibro LC-30. It runs at full power for the first hour to warm up the room, then the thermostat keeps it at half power on average (approx. 0.2 liters per hour).
- 1 hour × 0.313 L = 0.31 liters
- 4 hours × 0.2 L = 0.80 liters
- Total approx. 1.1 liters × €3.75 = about €4.15 for the whole evening
How to heat more efficiently
- Choose the right output. An undersized heater runs continuously at full power; a suitable heater can turn down its output. Read how many kW you need.
- Use the thermostat and timer on a laser heater. It automatically reduces the output once the room is warm.
- Only heat the room you're in and keep the door closed.
- Always make sure the room is well ventilated: this is necessary for safe, clean combustion.
- Use good, fresh fuel. See heater fuel comparison.
Still unsure which type of heater is right for you? Use our selection guide.
